CMSAF speaks to Georgians during military appreciation luncheon

by Senior Airman Daniel Phelps
94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

11/20/2014 - MARIETTA, Ga.  -- The Northeast Georgia business community received a special treat Monday, Nov. 17 as the Air Force's highest ranking enlisted member Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited the Atlanta Regional Military Appreciation Committee in Marietta, Georgia for its 62nd annual luncheon.

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody landed at Dobbins Air Reserve Base where he was greeted and escorted to the Cobb Galleria conference center, the location in which more than 700 community members had gathered to honor and thank the men and women who serve.

In his remarks, the chief acknowledged that military power does not come easily or stay without support.

"We have challenges we have to face to continue to be the world's greatest military," Cody said.

During his speech, a video played showing the Air Force's end strength throughout its history and its numerous conflicts. The size of the service today was noticeably smaller than any other era depicted.

"Our current Air Force is the smallest Air Force in our history and the most engaged," he said.

He pointed out that those who served and our currently serving are what make the U.S. military the greatest in the world. In this light, he honored past veterans in the audience: Lt. Col. Harland "Armi" Armitage, a B-25 pilot from the Korean War; Tech. Sgt. Don Scott, a B-17 bomber crew member and Prisoner of War from WWII; and Staff Sgt. Henry Huskey, a B-17 gunner from WWII.

The nation's highest ranking enlisted Airman thanked the state of Georgia for their sacrifices to the nation and recognized the contributions of the more than 7,200 Airmen are Peach State natives.

Cody shared the story of two of their Airmen: Tech. Sgt. Cole Pasley and Senior Airman Michael Buras, both explosive ordinance disposal.

Buras, a Fitzgerald native, was killed in action in Sept. 2010 responding to a roadside bomb.

"More EOD Airmen have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan than Airmen from any other career field, and they continue to do what they do knowing that risk," Cody said.

Pasley and Buras were friends, according to Cody. They shared their job and joked around with each other through in-state college team rivalries.

The loss of Buras hit Pasley hard, yet he shared with Cody that the reason he continued to do put his life on the line was for his family, his friends and the nation, to keep them safe, Cody reported.

"This is why we serve," Cody said. "We are humbled to serve you."